Segregation is one of the starkest social realities of contemporary
societies. Though often associated with explicitly racist laws of the
past, it is a phenomenon that persists to this day and is a crucial
element for understanding group relations and the wellbeing of different
populations in society.
In this book, Eric Fong and Kumiko Shibuya provide a thorough discussion
of the evolving complexity of segregation in all its variety and
variations. The authors focus not only on past trends and the
development of segregation measures, but also the current state of
affairs, and demonstrate the connections between the segregation of
racial/ethnic groups, immigrant communities, and schools, along with
poverty concentration. By taking a wide, cross-cutting view, the authors
identify commonalities and differences in the causes, mechanisms, and
consequences of segregation. Spatial and social segregation together
perpetuate and reinforce the unequal distribution of resources among
racial and ethnic groups, which in turn can have positive and negative
consequences for individuals and groups.
This critical overview of segregation will be a valuable and insightful
resource for students of sociology, geography, and ethnic studies, as
well as those keen to get a handle on this persistent challenge to equal
and inclusive societies.
